The hilarious Kaufman and Hart comedy, The Man Who Came to Dinner opening November 3rd will close out the 2017 season at The Arts Center of Cannon County, but it will also open a new chapter for former staff member, Scarlett Turney as she returns to the stage playing the role of Mrs. Stanley. Turney retired from the Arts Center in December of last year after 17 years on staff but prior to that Turney spent another 17 years as a volunteer and performer. “The Arts Center was the first place that I felt really at home after moving to Tennessee with my husband and infant daughter in 1980” Turney states. “I heard about auditions for the first show in the newly formed Cannon Community Playhouse and decided to try out for a part.”

The following years saw Turney performing in many shows including “Our Town” and “Hello Dolly” in which Turney played the title role. As the Arts Center grew so did Turney's family which soon included three children, all of whom performed in numerous shows over the years.

In 1999 a staff position opened up and Mrs. Turney was hired to oversee all of the children's programming at the center and to direct at least one show per year. Turney still found time to perform in several shows including her favorite, “The Man of La Mancha” as well as “The Boys Next Door”, “Hairspray” and “Xanadu”.

In addition to many children's shows over the years, Turney has directed “Oklahoma”, “Fiddler on the Roof”, “Man of Constant Sorrow”, “To Kill a Mockingbird”, “Chicago”, “The Secret Garden”, “The Addams Family”, and “Ghost”. “Directing is nothing more that telling the story and using actors, sets and props to do so” says Turney. “It has been a real joy to find my voice and use it.”

After several months of retirement, Scarlett Turney once again walked into an audition to try out for a part and once again found a welcoming place to call home. “New faces and new opportunities are here in 2017, just as they were in 1981, and I am glad to be home again meeting new people and discovering new things about myself and about the world around me.”

The Man Who Came to Dinner opens November 3rd and runs through November 18

Guest post by Arts Center Contributor, Richard StickneyIn 2008 I sold everything that I owned and bought the place of my dreams. A seventeen acre farm on Hurricane Creek Road. I love Cannon County. I always have.

December fourth 2009 I married Rae Lynn standing in the middle of Hurricane Creek and I was blessed with a wife and a James and a Sharon. We became a family that day.

All of us are writers, musicians, artists, dancers and actors. Rae Lynn has the most experience. She has been active in the arts since she was a child. Now James and Sharon can say the same thing. I have been a working musician since I was thirteen. Also I am a published artist and writer.

The Arts Center of Cannon County (ACCC) quickly became a passion for all of us. To this day we think that it is just great that you can go audition and possibly win a part. Everyone is included and no one is excluded. We have been in thirty three productions, helped with set building, with the box office and anything else that was needed.

All of the people at The Arts Center of Cannon County encourage and support each other. Especially so with James, Sharon and all the other young people. The result of that is that each event or play gets better and better. It is great to win a part and learn from our directors and great to just come and enjoy first class entertainment and wonderful music.

ACCC is the source of our friends. All of us artists are family. Rae Lynn and I have watched James and Sharon grow into two very talented pros. They are active in every event. James was instrumental in building the billboard in front of the Center.

The Arts Center of Cannon County is a tie that keeps us close. Something that we all share and talk about and agree on. Rae Lynn, James, Sharon, and I are most grateful to be a part of such a community of artists and we are proud to be named with all the rest of those who perform, direct, stage manage and build sets.

Our musicians are second to none and our directors, coaches and music directors are all gifted artists.

Our leadership and staff are always on top of everything and always ready for anything.

One of the many things that we enjoy is viewing and even purchasing the one of a kind hand made works of art that are created by our local masters. One of these days I am going to buy or trade for that hand made guitar that hangs on the wall. I would put it to work.

We are most grateful for Wilma Adams and all our other sponsors. The contributions that they have made keep us going. It is money that is very well spent, appreciated and something that will lasts forever.

The Arts Center initiated a $1 million endowment goal in 2016. Revenues from the endowment will fund the 18,000 square foot facility’s overhead. ACCC has raised $100,000 so far towards the $1 million goal. Since only the income from an endowment gift is spent, the benefits of contributing to the endowment are forever.

The Stickney family contributed to the endowment as a way to thank the community for providing the Arts Center and as a way to help ensure that the Arts Center will be open and available for other families for its next 25 years of service.

We're just a few weeks away from our first Junior Conservatory session, so we thought we would take some time and introduce you to the fabulous instructors who will be working with our students all summer! The first post in this blog series features our new dance teacher, Megan Castleberry. Keep reading to see what she has to say about her experiences in theatre and why she is excited for this summer!What was your first performance experience?The first performance I was in was in The Nutcracker as a Toy Soldier, but my first musical/play was School House Rock and I was in the ensemble.

What is your favorite play/musical?My favourite play is Noises Off, and my favourite musical is Newsies. They are both so fun!

Do you have a dream role?One of my dream roles (out of many) is Cinderella in the Roger's and Hammersteins version of Cinderella.

What's the last show you saw?The last show I saw on stage was an adaptation of the novella Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka

What genre of plays do you prefer?I prefer comedic shows. They still offer an opportunity to teach an audience something, but through a more relatable platform.

What's the last song you listened to in the car?The last song I listened to in the car was Tous Le Meme by Stromae. He is a french artists and is one of my favourites!

If you could have lunch with anyone, who would it be?If I could have lunch with anyone is would be Julie Andrews. I would probably let her pick where to eat because she would know of better places than I would and I would probably eat whatever she told me is best.

Where would you go if you could go anywhere?I would travel to Europe with the love of my life and best friend Logan. I've always wanted to see all of Europe and I can't think of anyone better to see it with!

What are your hobbies outside of the theatre? I enjoy playing my ukulele and piano, I love hiking and rock climbing, and finding fun bookstores and ice cream shops What are you most excited for about Summer Youth Conservatory?I am most excited to see the performances! I love seeing how people improve so I'm excited to see how much everyone can grow!

More about Megan:Megan Castleberry is a junior theatre major at Middle Tennessee State University. She has trained in multiple genres of dance since the age of three and has been teaching on and off for 5 years. The most recent work she has done has been at Tucker Theatre as the Assistant Choreographer for West Side Story and the Choreographer for Peter Pan. She has also worked as a Choreographer at Bradley Academy Elementary School for 2 years. In her free time she enjoys playing ukulele and piano, hiking, and hanging out with her dog, MoMo.

The Arts Center has great opportunities for students over the summer. ACCC’s Summer Youth Conservatory is a series of two-week summer camp sessions that teach students voice, acting, creative movement and dance. At the end of each session, students get to show off what they learned in their own showcase for friends and family. This camp is a great way for kids to get hands on experience with various art forms like dance, music, and even visual art with highly trained teachers and staff. They develop vital life skills such as communication, critical thinking, teamwork, and confidence. It promises to challenge and inspire every student.

Students come from ACCC’s seven county service area. Conservatory is a wonderful way for students to meet and work with their peers from various counties. These sessions help build long lasting community relationships This year The Arts Center has received grant funding for Summer Conservatory from the National Endowment of the Arts. The grant funds will partially underwrite the cost of Conservatory. Specialists in curriculum development will be overseeing the program and coaching our teachers. There are two junior sessions of Conservatory for grades 1-6 (June 5-16 and June 19-30), and one senior session for grades 7-12 (July 10-21). No prior experience is required to participate in either junior or senior sessions. Other learning opportunities are available to students throughout the year. Private lessons are offered by Brittany Goodwin in voice, piano, and acting. Students can also experience different styles of visual art and learn about local artists by visiting Cannon Hall and the Berger Gallery located inside the Arts Center. The Arts Center is committed to furthering arts education in Middle Tennessee. For more information on school field trips, Summer Youth Conservatory, or Private lessons, call 615-563-2787, visit www.artscenterofcc.com, or email Lindsey Mapes, the Director of Education, at Lindsey@artscenterofcc.com.

A play series for the young at heart - YOUNG AT ART! The 2017 Young at ArtSeries started strong with The Lion King Experience Jr.’s ten sold out school matinee performances and three sold out public performances. Up next this year is the new musical adaptation of the classic children's book, Lyle the Crocodile, which runs May 4-16! There are two opportunities for the public to see the show on May 6 & 13 at 2:00pm, as well as school matinee performances scheduled throughout the week.

The Story When Lyle the big green Crocodile turns up in the Primm family’s bathtub, nobody knows quite what to do. Lyle’s performing talent soon wins them over, and the Primms invite him to stay. This does not make their neighbor, Mr. Grumps, and his equally grumpy cat, very happy. The musical is based on the book “Lyle, Lyle the Crocodile” and “The House on 88th Street” by Bernard Waber. Running at just over an hour with no intermission, this one-act show is the perfect length for young audiences!

The CastStarring as the title character is the Art Center’s very own James Bessant! James started performing on the Arts Center stage at age 13, and has served a term as Student Board Member. Now at MTSU, James is studying elementary education grades K-12. Other members of the ensemble cast include Noah Brady, Catalina Rice, Lucy McGee, Carter Cantrell, Micah Mae, Andrew Neal, Mary Humphrey, Sharon Bessant, Jack Jones, Eleanor Vaughan, William Denniger, Erilynn Denniger, Blair Gipe, and Charlie Jones. About the Young at Art SeriesNow in its 27th year, the Arts Center of Cannon County offers creative, entertaining, and educational experiences for students in the Middle Tennessee region. As part of the Young at Art school matinee series, the Arts Center offers three children’s shows for both school field trips and for the community at large. The series is designed for home school groups, public schools, and private schools in Cannon County and the 6 surrounding counties. Students on field trips often eat lunch in the Farmer’s Market Pavilion or in Cannon Hall (inside the Arts Center) before or after the performance.

The shows offer educational entertainment that is often associated with literature taught in the classroom, such as last season’s shows: “A Year with Frog and Toad”, “The Cat in the Hat”, and “Elf the Musical Jr.” This series offers a unique opportunity for students to experience live theatre, meet with the cast, and take pictures with their class on the set. In 2016 the Arts Center hosted 7,250 students.

The Student Ticket Subsidy program, grant funding to buy theater tickets, through the TN Arts Commission is available to students of every county. See GRANTS at TNArtsCommission.org. Many of the schools who attend the “Young at Art Series” apply for this funding.

How to Book Your Spot: Tickets for the public performances are available online or by calling (615) 563-2787.

Teachers and School Groups interested in booking a field trip may contact Lindsey Mapes at (615) 563-2787 or at Lindsey@artscenterofcc.com.

Homeschool groups can also be accommodated- please contact Beth McCrary at beth@artscenterofcc.com

As the first show of our 2017 Season comes to close, we would like to take this opportunity to answer some popular questions about Season Tickets and the benefits of becoming a member. With five shows remaining in the season, our already low membership prices have dropped to just $50 and $90! With savings over 25% off the a la carte ticket price, you don't want to miss out on all of the fun that 2017 has to offer!

So besides the savings (which we will discuss in a moment), what benefits come with being a Season Ticket Holder at The Arts Center?

Shorter Lines / Priority Seating

If you have ever seen a show with us, you know we seat by letter groups of A, B, C, etc based on when you check in at the box office beginning an hour before the show. You may have also noticed there are two lines, one for members and one for non-members. While the member line is typically shorter and quicker, we also set aside 25 A's for members at each performance. So even if you arrive closer to the time the doors are open, if you are one of the first 25 members to check in you will still be able be one of the first groups into the theatre. Have a special seat you just have to have? Keep reading to learn about our Express Pass option, which puts you even closer to the front of the line!

Your Reservation to Each Show is Already Made, No Need to Call!

When you purchase your season ticket you will be prompted to select your date, with options being First Friday, First Saturday, First Sunday, Second Friday, etc. This holds your spot on your selected night for every show in the season! Worried you will have conflicts? It's no problem- you can simply call or email The Arts Center before your scheduled performance and we can switch you to a more convenient date (subject to availability).

Share With Your Friends and Family

Can't attend a show? Have two tickets and only need one? You can share your membership with anyone in your circle of friends or family members!

Experience a Wide Variety of Shows

Perhaps you know you want to come to our popular musicals, but don't know much about the plays included in the season. Being a Season Ticket Holder gives you the opportunity to see a wide variety of shows for an incredible low price! Who knows, you just might find your new favorite show! Concerned about content of shows you aren't familiar with? We include ratings for our musicals and plays on our website, and you can always call us with any questions you may have.

Multiple Membership Level Options

There are three different types of memberships so you are sure to find one that fits your needs!

Adult Member

Five show price - $50

Your price if you purchased five show tickets one at a time - $75

Student Member

Five show price - $40

Your price if you purchased five show tickets one at a time - $65

Patron Member - the biggest savings yet!

Five show price - $90

Also included in the Patron Membership...

- An Express Pass ($50 value), which offers you priority seating AND you don't have to check in at the box office! Just bring your Express Pass straight to the door.

- A Gift Certificate ($10-15 value) valid for one ticket to any show in our Young At Art Series

- A Contribution to The Arts Center Endowment fund

As you can see, there are so many reasons to consider becoming a Season Ticket Holder at The Arts Center of Cannon County, including supporting local theatre in the community! Season Tickets are available to purchase online or by phone at (615) 563-2787. /seasontickets.htmlWe look forward to seeing you in 2017!

As we anticipate the opening of The Odd Couple on September 30th, I decided to take a look back at the history of the show, the films, and the many careers launched by portrayals of the iconic characters "Felix" and "Oscar". I was surprised at some of the names that were on the list... and I think you will be, too!

(Take notes, the information below will be helpful for Broadway trivia and to impress your friends!)

Neil Simon was already a relatively well known playwright when The Odd Couple premiered on Broadway in 1965, thanks to the success of his 1963 show Barefoot in the Park. When Simon won a Tony award for The Odd Couple he became known as the "hottest new playwright on Broadway" and his career continued to prosper as he launched dozens of treasured shows including They're Playing Our Song, I Ought to Be In Pictures, The Goodbye Girl, Brighton Beach Memoirs, Jake's Women, and many more. To this day he has received more combined Tony and Oscar nominations than any other writer.

Without discounting the work that Simon has done, one must recognize that the wide success of his shows can also be contributed to his talented casts, often featuring unknown actors who would later jump to international fame. With well-written, tangible characters that seem to jump off the page, Simon's roles are coveted by actors around the world! Infact, did you know...

When The Odd Couple premiered on Broadway in 1965 it starred Walter Matthau and Art Carney, and scored a Best Actor Tony Award for Matthau. ( Matthau also went on to reprise his role in both Odd Couple films, alongside Jack Lemmon).

After a successful year and a half run on Broadway, The Odd Couple was revived in 1970 starring two unknown actors who are household names today- Martin Short and Eugene Levy! They wouldn't be the last stars to take on the roles of Felix and Oscar, however. Over the next forty years these parts were performed by Gerard Kelly, Craig Ferguson, Pat Sajak, Matthew Broderick, Nathan Lane, Ethan Hawke and Billy Crudup, just to name a few!

The Odd Couple went on to inspire a female version, written by Simon, as well as multiple TV-Sitcom spin-offs,including the 2015 adaptation starring Friends star Matthew Perry alongside Thomas Lennon.

So now, with over FIFTY years of successful runs, we at The Arts Center are excited to have this hilarious, iconic show live on our stage! Directed by Mary Wilson and starring Matt Smith and Ted Verbeten, perhaps this rendition will further launch the careers of all of the incredible local talent involved!

Well, now you know the abridged history of the production, so don't miss you chance to see it for yourself! Neil Simon's The Odd Couple runs September 30 - October 15, 2016. Tickets are $13 for Adults, $11 for Seniors & Students, and $10 for paid groups of ten or more. For tickets call (615) 563-2787 or click here.

Many of you might be wondering, what is the Reverse Raffle Fundraiser that is taking place at The Arts Center on July 30? Is it true that one person in attendance will win $5000? What’s the catch? Truth is- there is no catch! Our annual Reverse Raffle Fundraiser is an evening of fun, laughter, and camaraderie to support the arts and one lucky attendee will walk away with the grand prize- five thousand bucks! Best part is, there is no skill involved to win! As you may or may not know, the Arts Center is a not-for-profit community owned venue. The facility itself is maintained and sustained by and for the people of Middle Tennessee. Our staff work for modest wages to provide this unique outlet which includes a theater, gallery, craft shop, conservatory, exhibition hall. Throughout the year, volunteers direct, produce, act, sing, dance, perform, play, exhibit, learn, and craft together in our 27 year young 18,000 square foot building. Once each year we hold a fundraiser. This year the event will be held on Saturday, July 30 and your attendance is requested. The Reverse Raffle is an opportunity to support the Arts Center financially while enjoying a great dinner and a chance to win $5000! At the end of an evening of games and drawings on stage in the Wilma Adams Theater – the last person still holding a raffle ticket goes home with $5000. Sounds easy, right? Best part is, if your number is drawn (eliminating you from winning the grand prize) there are opportunities to buy back in! Throughout the night you might also see other items you are interested in winning, and there are several chances to bid on Auction Baskets donated by local business and board members. (Last year we had Journey Tickets, an Autographed Steelers Helmet, an evening at The Cannon Inn, and much more!) Event tickets are $75 each and included dinner, entertainment, and an entry into the Reverse Raffle. They are available online, by phone, or in person at the Arts Center, Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4pm. Want to enter but can’t attend? Purchase a ticket and your number will still be included in the raffle- we will notify you if you win! That's all there is to it! The Event begins with dinner promptly at 6pm. The on stage Raffle begins at 7pm. We hope you will join us for this special evening benefitting The Arts Center of Cannon County! The 2015 winners were Marcia and Gerald Melton who purchased tickets to support a great cause – Cannon County Reads through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

With so many weekend options including movies, concerts, theatrical shows, escape games of sorts, etc, I have spent some time thinking about why community theatre is important and the reasons people should (and do) support it. Drawing from my own experiences, I believe volunteer theatre is a valuable resource in our communities for performers, crew members, sponsors, and audience members alike. I was barely six years old when my mom took me to audition for a production of Peter Cottontail with a local children’s group, and after being cast as the lead in my debut performance I was hooked. While I dabbled in sports and other recreational activities, I focused mainly on theatre and performing and booked my first professional production at the age of eighteen. Over the next six years I traveled the country living the dream- making a living as a performer! But something was missing, and I started to realize that there was a difference acting on stage as a job vs. a hobby. While I still loved to perform, I yearned for the heart and sense of camaraderie I had always found in community theatre.

So what made community vs. professional so different? And why is community theatre so important to me, and so many others? Here are some examples:Encourage New Talent Many successful actors, directors, writers, and choreographers have launched their careers in humble, small town playhouses. (Did you know Country music artist Chris Young and American Idol alum Colton Dixon both performed in Arts Center productions, just to name a few?) By sponsoring shows and attending performances, you are not only supporting an important arts outlet but also providing encouragement to the cast and crew. Provide Opportunities for Young Artists As I stated above, I walked into an audition as an average six year old and closed my first show feeling like a superstar! I have already written a blog focusing on why the arts are important for children (click here to read it!) so I won’t spend too much time on the subject, but I will say that I have seen theatre open up a world of new opportunities for children. While physical size and abilities sometimes hinder kids in sports and school activities, the world of community theatre provides a safe place for even the shyest or quirkiest of students. As a director, I have witnessed young children sobbing out of stage fright at their first audition who go on to steal the show, and the “outsider” who may have been rejected by his peers become the center of attention. There’s something about community theatre that accepts everyone and I treasure the wide variety of people I have met and the children I have had the opportunity to mentor. Create a Need for Special Skills

Not everyone can stand center stage and belt out “Tomorrow” from Annie, and just as many of us don’t dare pick up a hammer and nail! Community theatre requires so many different skill sets, that virtually anyone can find a place they are needed. Your skill might be painting a backdrop, building a set piece, sewing a costume, holding a spotlight, working backstage, or even shopping for props! In one of the most recent shows I performed in, we even used an “illusionist” to teach the cast and crew magic tricks that could be used in the show! By supporting community theatre, you give your brother, mother, next door neighbor, Sunday school teacher, veterinarian, and janitor an opportunity to volunteer their time and skills. Local Business Supports Local Business The Arts Center, like many community theatre groups, is a non-profit organization and requires the support of local business to financially back shows and events. Sponsors not only help grow recognition of their own brand by including their logos on programs, marketing materials, websites, etc, but also keep the arts going in the community. Sponsorship isn’t expensive and community theatres can, in return, help their local business reach hundreds of potential customers through ads and sponsor recognition. Just to name a few… I could go on and on about reasons why everyone should support their local community theatre, but I hope you are coming up with your own ideas of how your ticket purchase, skill set, or sponsorship can benefit so many people. Although our lives have all become very busy as of late, when you find yourself with a free Saturday night, consider attending a show put on by your local community theatre. I think you will be surprised to discover the incredible talent performing on our Middle Tennessee stages thanks to the support of patrons like YOU.

Although it’s only the end of March, can you believe we are already planning for our 2017 season of shows?! With so many variables and things to consider, building a performance season is an ongoing process, and we would like to give you the opportunity to suggest what YOU would like to see on our stage. After reading the post below you will have a chance to fill out a form and help us as we plan for the year ahead!

So what goes into choosing the season, anyway?

There are so many factors that are taken into consideration when planning a season of productions, including when the show was last performed in the area, the type or size of cast required, the month the show will be performed, who will direct, what sort of content is involved, what the set or props will require, how much the royalties cost, etc. We work hard to plan a season that not only fits in the Arts Centers schedule, but that fits with the schedules of the volunteers who will be working to put on the show and the audience members who will be attending. Who chooses the shows?

The Arts Center staff works together to plan the season, along with suggestions from directors, producers and board members. A large number of shows are suggested and then narrowed down as they are discussed. The discussion may include questions like, has this show been performed at the Arts Center before? If so, when and what was attendance like? What sort of audience do we expect will want to see this show? Has another theatre in the area recently performed this show, or do they plan to in the near future? Are the rights currently available to community theatres, and if not, will they be available soon?Does it cost money to put on a show?

Yes! And what many people don’t realize is that nearly every show has royalty fees that are determined based on the size of the theatre, the number of shows being performed, how new the show is, etc. Rates vary tremendously and while some older or lesser known plays are offered for minimal prices, many larger scale musicals cost thousands of dollars to perform. And that’s just to pay for the rights to the show! After the royalties are secured, money goes into the set, costumes, props, marketing, etc. Can audience members make suggestions for upcoming performances?

Yes you can! We would love to hear your suggestions for what you would like to see on the Arts Center stage, and why. By clicking the link below you can anonymously fill out a suggestion form!